Parliamentarians visited the sites of mass burials of civilians killed by Russians, including near the Church of St. Andrew the Apostle and All Saints in Bucha. They witnessed the consequences of the 'Russian world'—destroyed buildings in Irpin and the remains of the destroyed Romanivskyi Bridge across the Irpin River.
"It is very important that deputies from twelve countries have come to us and have now seen with their own eyes what Russia did when it occupied our territories in the Kyiv region. And it deeply impressed them!" emphasized Anna Purtova, the Head of the Permanent Delegation of Ukraine to PACE.
According to the Secretary-General of PACE, Asaf Hajiyev, parliamentarians were shocked by what they saw and could not contain their emotions.
"It's horrible. Cities are destroyed, people were killed and maimed. It's just incredible! I wish you a quick recovery because we have to think about the future and the preservation of the next, young generation, as they should live in peace and security. There is no other alternative," noted Asaf Hajiyev.
On his part, Ukrainian MP and Chair of the Economic Committee in PACE, Oleksandr Marikovsky, emphasized that today's events at the PACE are taking place without the participation of Russia, and this, in his words, is a positive sign.
"Russia has not sent an official letter and has refused to participate in the delegation; they have stopped making contributions. This is part of the work carried out by Ukrainian parliamentarians with representatives from various countries in PACE. And this is also part of the event currently taking place in Ukraine. We are fighting on our front," said Oleksandr Marikovsky.
This sentiment was supported by Georgian Parliament Member Ramaz Nikolaishvili. "It is excellent that the delegation is taking place in Ukraine, and many countries have the opportunity to see what those beasts did in this beautiful country. So, I am very pleased that 12 countries came, not 13. Every day when I think about your country, I understand what tremendous strength the Ukrainian people have. Everyone should understand that today Ukraine is defending Europe and the whole world! So, I wish you not just peace but victory!" emphasized the Georgian parliamentarian.
During the visit, the Ukrainian side emphasized the importance of it and expressed gratitude for the opportunity for personal participation. This was underscored by member of the Permanent Delegation of Ukraine to PACE, Lyubov Shpak: "We have visited many PACE member countries and tried to convey the current situation in Ukraine. Because being in another country, you do not see all of this. But today, the delegation has come to us, and we are showing everything so that the delegates can see with their own eyes what Russia has done in our country."
"It is crucial to witness the horrors of Russian aggression now. We are shocked! And the world must know this. We stand and fight for Ukraine because such atrocities should not be repeated in the 21st century. We will do everything in our power to support you and expedite the onset of peace!" expressed Bulgarian Parliament member Pavel Khristov on this matter.
Romanian Parliament member Andrei Hangan supported his colleagues and assured continued support for the Ukrainian people, particularly from the representation of his country in PACE: "We now understand and have seen what 'Russian peace' means. You cannot say that people did this. You can fully count on us. We can promise you, as neighbors, our support. We will always be by your side."
The parliamentarians also emphasized that they will discuss many issues at the upcoming PACE events, which will serve as certain steps on Ukraine's path to victory. The witnessed situation only confirms the urgency of strengthening parliamentary diplomacy, particularly through the work of crucial institutions like PACE.
